The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book Value Guide

Published in 1983 by Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, this oversized 11-by-17-inch book served as both an interactive contest and a professional recruitment tool. It is highly collectible for its unique format, featuring unfinished Spider-Man pages that invited aspiring creators to demonstrate their skills in penciling, inking, and lettering.

What Is The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book Worth?

The typical price range for The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book is $130 - $145 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition is paramount, as the large format makes the edges and corners prone to heavy wear and creasing.
• The presence of any original markings, drawings, or ink significantly reduces value compared to an 'unused' copy.
• Completeness of the original cardstock cover and all interior instructional pages.
• Market demand for 1980s Marvel ephemera and items related to Jim Shooter's editorial era.

How to Identify The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book?

• Verify the massive 11-by-17-inch dimensions, which significantly exceed standard comic book sizes.
• Check for the 1983 copyright date and the 'Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book' title on the cardstock cover.
• Ensure the interior contains the specific Spider-Man story pages designed for interactive completion.
• Look for the Jim Shooter introduction which outlines the original contest rules and submission guidelines.

History of The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book

Published in 1983 by Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, this unique oversized book was an interactive contest. It contained unfinished pages of a Spider-Man story, challenging aspiring artists to fill in the pencils, inks, colors, or lettering. The winners were promised professional work at Marvel. Notable for its massive scale, it remains a cult classic for collectors and those interested in the comic book creation process.